Tamil News

Schools, colleges in coronavirus-free Sikkim to reopen from June 15

Sikkim Education Minister KN Lepcha on Friday announced that the government hass arrived at a decision to reopen educational institutions across the state from June 15. Sikkim will incidentally also be the first state to reopen schools and colleges as it the only coronavirus-free state in the country at present. The state as all other states across the country has been in a state of lockdown since March 25 when it was first imposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is scheduled to come to an end on May 31.

It is said classes from standard 9 to the university level will first resume with online classes and coaching continues to be provided for students in the primary and elementary levels. Sikkim Education minister KN Lepcha said, "Schools and educational institutions in the State have been closed since mid-March in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The loss incurred by the students during this closure is irreparable but we used all available platforms like online teaching, local cable TV and All India Radio to conduct classes,".

He further stated, "We have now decided to resume classes for students of class IX and above, college and universities in the State from June 15. We are waiting for the SOPs from the Union HRD ministry and NCERT which would be followed accordingly. Morning assemblies will not be held, all Saturdays will be working days, social distancing will be maintained strictly and hand washing facility will be installed in all institutions,".

Reports also state Sikkim government is planning to shorten the winter breaks in order to cover the academic days lost as a result of the lockdown. Classes on Saturday will also be conducted along with the number of holidays in the academic calendar as well considerably reduced, if any need be. Minister KN Lepcha further said annual exams in schools will be conducted in February 2021, but a decision will be taken after an assessment of the coronavirus cases in the state then, if any.